Updates

Portugal has been, more and more, news in national and international media. There are several awards and recognitions attributed to the country, as well as new tax benefits. All this highlight has also had an impact on the real estate market, which has witnessed a great evolution.

See below the latest news about our country and the real estate market.

Americans choose Portugal as second “Hot Destination” in 2025

01-2025

Americans choose Portugal as second “Hot Destination” in 2025

01-2025

According to a recent survey carried out by PwC among members of the USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association), revealed that Portugal is in second place on the list of “hot destinations” among Americans for 2025, with Italy in first place on the podium. In third place is Greece.

You can read the full article here.

You can also read on our website why Portugal is an attractive country here.

Source: PressTur

Portugal is considered the best country in the world to buy a second home

11-2023

Portuguese passport climbs in Henley & Partners' world ranking

01-2025

In 2025, the Portuguese passport reached 5th place in the Henley Passport Index ranking, indicating that it provides access to 190 countries without the need for a visa (2 more countries than in 2023). At the top of the ranking is Singapore, with access to 195 countries, followed by Japan, which allows entry to 193 countries. In 3rd place are Finland, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea and Spain, all with access to 192 countries.

For the past 19 years, Henley & Partners has had exclusive data from IATA (International Air Transport Authority), which enables the evaluation of 199 different passports and 227 different destinations, resulting in the creation of the Henley Passport Index. This index is a tool for analyzing the international mobility of passports.

You can check out the full list here.

You can also check out the different Residential Visas, which give you the chance to obtain Portuguese nationality, here.

Source: Henley & Partners

Portugal is considered the best country in the world to buy a second home

11-2023

Lisbon has been awarded "Best City Break Destination"

10-2024

According to an article in Público, Lisbon was awarded “Best City Break Destination” at the 25th edition of the Star Awards on October 24. The event was held in London by Travel Bulletin, an influential British publication for professionals in the UK. The Portuguese capital stood out among destinations such as Barcelona, Budapest, Krakow, New York, Prague and Rome. The winners were chosen by travel agents and professionals in the sector, as announced by Turismo de Lisboa.
You can read the full article here.

Source: Público

Portugal is considered the best country in the world to buy a second home

11-2023

Update of 2025 Rents

10-2024

Based on the principle of contractual freedom, in rental contracts, the landlord and contractor can stipulate an annual increase in the rent. If there is no specific stipulation, the update follows the adjustment coefficients in practice, published annually by October 30 in the Diário da Républica. For 2025, the update will be 2.16% (coefficient of 1.0216), according to Notice no. 23099/2024/2, which is a significant drop from the 6.94% of 2024. According to the NRAU (New Urban Lease Regime), the rent resulting from the update is rounded up to the nearest cent. It’s important to mention:

The update is not mandatory; the landlord isn't required to demand the increase.
The update can be requested annually, starting one year after the beginning of the contract, as stipulated in article 1077 of the Portuguese Civil Code.
The landlord must communicate the update by written notice at least 30 days in advance.
If the landlord does not request the update, it will jeopardize the recovery of lost values under the terms of Article 1077(2)(d) of the Portuguese Civil Code. If it's not been more than three years since the date initially possible, the coefficients can still be applied.

Disclaimer
The information on this page is for information purposes only. Infante & Riu is a real estate company and is not authorized to provide legal, tax, advisory or consultancy services. For further information, a specialist in this area should be consulted.

Portugal is considered the best country in the world to buy a second home

11-2023

Portugal keeps on being recognized gastronomically worldwide

10-2024

On the 2^nd of October 2024, the 5th edition of the World Culinary Awards took place in Dubai, which are a “ sibling ” event to the World Travel Awards, and which highlight the best practices and innovations in the culinary sector, covering categories such as restaurants, chefs, hotels and other related establishments.
Awards Portugal has received:

Lisbon - Best Culinary Destination in Europe
Porto - Best Emerging Gastronomic City
Vila Joya, in the Algarve, by Dieter Koshina and with 2 Michelin stars - Best Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant in Europe
Belcanto, in Lisbon, by José Avilez and with 2 Michelin stars - Award for Best Restaurant in Portugal

You can read the full article here.

Source: Expresso

Portugal is considered the best country in the world to buy a second home

11-2023

According to the study carried out by Compare The Market Australia, which analyzed 34 countries of the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) through the cost of living, increase in property value, number of restaurants, among other factors, Portugal was considered the best country to buy a second home.

Read more about this article here.

Source: Vida Imobiliário

The Portuguese passport is one of the world's freest

02-2023

Since 2006, a world ranking has been organised by the Henley Passport Index, which aims to organise countries according to their citizens' freedom of movement. In 2023, the Portuguese passport is in 6th place and allows you to visit 188 countries in the world. In first place are Japan and Singapore with 193 destinations, in second place South Korea with 192 destinations, and in third place Germany and Spain with 191 destinations.

Check the countries you can visit without a visa: https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index

Portugal Wins 12 Awards at the Tourism Oscars 2022

11-2022

On November 11 the World Travel Awards, known as the "Oscars" of world tourism, took place in Oman. Portugal received 12 distinctions, among which, Oporto won the prize for Best City Destination, Madeira the Best Insular Destination, Lisbon the Best Metropolitan Destination by the Sea.

You can read more about this article in this link.

Source: Expresso

790 properties bought by international buyers in Lisbon until June

11-2022

Until June this year, foreigners invested 403 million euros in residential real estate in Lisbon's Urban Rehabilitation Area, according to data from Confidencial Imobiliário. This value is equivalent to 790 properties and the buyers come from 60 different countries, of which the 5 main ones are Brazil, USA, France, England and China.

You can read more about this article in this link.

Source: Notícias Ao Minuto

The increasing interest of North Americans in Portugal

10-2022

As we can read in the article published by Jornal Económico, Imovirtual revealed that there was a 29% increase in the third quarter, in the international demand for houses in Portugal, when compared to the same period in the previous year. The North Americans are now the most interested, overcoming the Brazilians, and were the ones who managed more house searches in this real estate portal.

You may read the full article at the following link.

Source: Jornal Económico

The substantial increase of Golden Visa attributed to Brazilians

09-2022

Through the article published online by Diário de Notícias, we get the information that there is an increase of Brazilian investors, and that until July 2022, 871 Golden Visa applications were approved for the purchase of real estate, with a value equal to or greater than € 500,000, which is equivalent to an investment of 655.4 million euros. The chosen cities for Brazilian millionaires are Lisbon and Cascais.

Since October 2012, when the Golden Visa program began, there has been an accumulated investment of 6,497 million euros until August, and the leaders are Chinese citizens with 5,168 approvals, followed by Brazilians with 1,123, Turks with 525, South Africans with 469, and last in this top, but which has been constantly growing, we have North Americans with 466.

You can read the full article at this link.

Source: Diário de Notícias

Why Portugal has been the choice of many Americans

05-2022

According to the article on the "L'Opinion'' website, a growing number of French retirees are deciding to enjoy their retirement in Portugal or Spain. Portugal turns out to be one of the favourite countries because of the security, the health system, the cost of living and the attractive tax benefits implemented by the Government.

You can read the full story by following this link.

Source: L'Opinion

Lisbon continues to attract international investors

04-2022

According to Diário de Notícias Daily of Monday 11 April 2022, 2021 was the year in which history was made in the real estate sales in Lisbon, exceeding the threshold of half a million euros. 38% of the real estate investment was made by international investors, mostly North Americans. This increase is due to the possibility of acquiring a Golden Visa, but also for various other reasons, such as the fact that Lisbon is considered a safe city.

You can read the full story by following this link.

Source: Diário de Notícias

Lisbon on investors' radar for 2019

02-2019

PWC and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) recently presented the 16th edition of the Emerging Trends in Real Estate Europe report, revealing very interesting data on the real estate market in Europe.
Lisbon stood out by leading the ranking of the most interesting cities to invest in real estate in 2019, overthrowing Berlin, and rising 10 places when compared to the ranking of 2018. The growth of the Portuguese economy and the city itself, as well as its quality of life, are some of the factors that lead to Lisbon being sought now not only by tourists but also by large international companies and investors.
Despite some concerns about political issues affecting Europe and provoking some instability, such as Brexit, the general feeling towards 2019 is optimistic and the real estate sector is increasingly looking for investment alternatives that offer stable and secure returns in a broader context.

Read the full report in this link.

The award for best European destination of the World Travel Awards was for... Portugal!

10-2017

For the first time, Portugal was the winner of Best European Destination Award, attributed by the European Travel Awards at a ceremony held in St Petersburg, Russia, on 30 September.
The Portuguese Secretary of State for Tourism, Ana Mendes Godinho, said that this recognition is a reflection of the "commitment of all to make Portugal a tourist destination of excellence, with a diversity of unique offerings that extends throughout the territory."
In addition to this prize, Portugal received another 36, 13 more than in 2016, such as the best cruise port in Europe, attributed to Lisbon, or the best beach destination in Europe, received by the Algarve.

Source: Sic Notícias

Portugal is fashionable among the famous

10-2017

There are more and more famous people, from football players, to actors and musicians, buying luxury houses in Portugal. This time it is the Spanish newspaper El País that highlights our country and all the celebrities who have been trying to buy real estate in Portugal.

After John Malkovich, Monica Belluci and Christian Louboutin, among others, Madonna is the latest star to look for a luxury property in Lisbon. Low house prices, good weather, safety and tax incentives are just a few of the many reasons why Portugal is attracting more and more interest among celebrities.

Source: El País